The University of Waterloo has honoured its fifth university president and Canada’s 28th Governor-General, the Right Honourable David Johnston.
WATERLOO, Ont. (Sunday, June 5, 2011) - The University of Waterloo has honoured its fifth university president and Canada’s 28th Governor General, the Right Honourable David Johnston, by officially renaming its highly successful research and technology park the David Johnston Research + Technology Park.
The unveiling of a new sign took place today and was attended by about 200 people, including His Excellency, along with Feridun Hamdullahpur, who succeeded His Excellency as president of the University of Waterloo, Ken Seiling, chair of Waterloo Region and Terry Stepien, president of Sybase iAnywhere, a global software company based at the R+T Park.
His Excellency, who ranks among the most respected and admired educators and public servants in Canada, played a leading role in establishing the R+T Park, a $214-million collaborative project involving the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, the Region of Waterloo, the City of Waterloo, Communitech and Canada’s Technology Triangle.
The R+T Park has been hailed as a great success across Canada and many give His Excellency the credit for bringing the necessary public-private-government partnership together.
"It was a huge challenge to create the research and technology park, but His Excellency possesses a unique ability to bring people and organizations together, to make them see the benefits in working collaboratively for the greater good," said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president of the University of Waterloo. "The research and technology park will have a lasting impact on the university and the Waterloo Region community where it has become an inspiring centre of innovation, entrepreneurship and commercialization."
Designed as a centre for Canada's top technology talent, the R+T Park, which broke ground for Phase I in 2002, will accommodate 1.6 million square feet of office space in 14 buildings on 120-acres (49 hectares). When completed, the park will house 9,000 knowledge workers, creating new technology jobs and generating billions of dollars in economic impact.
One key feature of the R+T Park is the Accelerator Centre, world-renowned for cultivating technological entrepreneurship. The centre guides the growth of new technology companies and promotes research commercialization in post-secondary institutions such as University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Guelph and Conestoga College.
"Home to more than 25 technology start-up companies, the Accelerator Centre is focused on hastening the growth and success of fledgling start-ups from a broad cross section of technology sectors and helping them get their products market ready," said Ken Seiling, Waterloo Regional Chair. "The centre is a stellar example of governments, academic institutions and business working together to support innovation and entrepreneurship in our community."
Next on the horizon is the development of the Phase II lands for the R+T Park, which will add another 68 acres (27.5 hectares). The area is bordered by Bearinger Road and the environmental reserve near Westmount Road.
Sybase was the first company to have a building in the park. In 1995, Sybase acquired Watcom, the University of Waterloo's first major spinoff company.
"His Excellency's vision to combine a state of the art research park with a collaborative community is truly innovative," said Terry Stepien, president of Sybase iAnywhere. "The research and technology park has given Sybase and the Waterloo technology community a distinct competitive advantage in developing innovation and attracting brilliant people."
David Johnston Research + Technology Park
The David Johnston Research + Technology Park is ideally located on the campus of Canada's most innovative university. Reflecting the enterprising spirit of Waterloo Region, it ensures continued support for pure and applied research and innovation throughout Canada. Tenants of the R+T Park have unprecedented access to Waterloo’s talented co-op students, alumni, and professors. Their goal is to create breakthrough research discoveries that lead to social and commercial advantage. The David Johnston Research + Technology Park is growing and nurturing new technology, generating thousands of high-quality jobs, contributing to environmental excellence and the well-being of the community. For further information, go to www.rtpark.uwaterloo.ca.
About Waterloo
The University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, is one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities. Waterloo is home to 30,000 full- and part-time undergraduate and graduate students who are dedicated to making the future better and brighter. Waterloo, known for the largest post- secondary co-operative education program in the world, supports enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. For more information about Waterloo, visit www.uwaterloo.ca.
Contacts:
Carol Stewart, David Johnston Research + Technology Park, 519-888-4567 ext. 36339 or carol.stewart@uwaterloo.ca
John Morris, Waterloo media relations, 519-888-4435 or john.morris@uwaterloo.ca
Waterloo release no. 33
